Advocacy Briefing

1. Advocacy Briefing

2. Motivation: As officers, you will be in situations where you will have to persuade, convince, motivate or even inspire people. You’ve got to go convince your group commander in less than 5 minutes to give you $20,000 more for new computers. Would you be able to? Or you may have to tell the section commander why the she should keep one of your troops in instead of discharging the airman…. If you had a few minutes, would you be able to?   Advocacy is all about persuading and convincing. This will be an intricate part of your officership and leadership throughout your career and you will always be advocating, convincing or trying to stimulate people in one form or another. So here, we will allow you the opportunity to develop that skill and create an advocacy briefing.) Overview: We’ll start with looking at the nature of persuasion, building the persuasive brief, organizational patterns then delivery tips. Lastly, we’ll review a video of a former OT, which should help to clarify exactly what your FTOs will be looking for next week. Transition: Now that you understand where we’re going, let’s begin by defining the nature of persuasion. Motivation: As officers, you will be in situations where you will have to persuade, convince, motivate or even inspire people. You’ve got to go convince your group commander in less than 5 minutes to give you $20,000 more for new computers. Would you be able to? Or you may have to tell the section commander why the she should keep one of your troops in instead of discharging the airman…. If you had a few minutes, would you be able to?   Advocacy is all about persuading and convincing. This will be an intricate part of your officership and leadership throughout your career and you will always be advocating, convincing or trying to stimulate people in one form or another. So here, we will allow you the opportunity to develop that skill and create an advocacy briefing.) Overview: We’ll start with looking at the nature of persuasion, building the persuasive brief, organizational patterns then delivery tips. Lastly, we’ll review a video of a former OT, which should help to clarify exactly what your FTOs will be looking for next week. Transition: Now that you understand where we’re going, let’s begin by defining the nature of persuasion.

3. Nature of Persuasion Persuasion is communication that influences and changes the listener’s beliefs, feelings, or behavior. Persuasive briefs can be divided into three categories. To convince, stimulate, and motivate. Persuasion is communication that influences and changes the listener’s beliefs, feelings, or behavior. Persuasive briefs can be divided into three categories. To convince, stimulate, and motivate.

4. Nature of Persuasion Briefing to convince Alter the beliefs and judgments If you are trying to “convince” your audience, you are working to alter their beliefs and judgments. Your immediate goal is to get them to mentally agree with you. Here are a couple of examples… - A prosecuting or defense attorney tries to convince jurors a defendant is guilty. - New York City passed an unpopular tax increase in 2002. Mayor Michael Bloomberg spearheaded this effort.If you are trying to “convince” your audience, you are working to alter their beliefs and judgments. Your immediate goal is to get them to mentally agree with you. Here are a couple of examples… - A prosecuting or defense attorney tries to convince jurors a defendant is guilty. - New York City passed an unpopular tax increase in 2002. Mayor Michael Bloomberg spearheaded this effort.

5. Nature of Persuasion Briefing to inspire Reinforces and intensifies beliefs or feelings of listeners If the ultimate goal of your persuasive brief is to “stimulate” then you are attempting to reinforce and intensify the listeners’ beliefs or feelings. You don’t have to “convince” the audience to agree with you…they already share your position. You are merely trying to heighten or intensify their commitment. Here are some examples… USAFA Football Coach Fisher Deberry giving a pep talk to his football players President Bush talking to American Legion vets at Arlington Cemetery on Veterans Day, 2002If the ultimate goal of your persuasive brief is to “stimulate” then you are attempting to reinforce and intensify the listeners’ beliefs or feelings. You don’t have to “convince” the audience to agree with you…they already share your position. You are merely trying to heighten or intensify their commitment. Here are some examples… USAFA Football Coach Fisher Deberry giving a pep talk to his football players President Bush talking to American Legion vets at Arlington Cemetery on Veterans Day, 2002

6. Nature of Persuasion Briefing to motivate Inspires the audience to act Finally, if you are trying to “motivate” your audience, your ultimate goal is to inspire them to act. You are trying to get your listeners to perform a specific action that is clear, direct, and observable. Here are some examples… The American Red Cross worker is addressing your commander’s call and telling you about the blood shortage and asking you to donate. Actor and gubernatorial candidate and Arnold Schwarzenegger campaigning for votes Finally, if you are trying to “motivate” your audience, your ultimate goal is to inspire them to act. You are trying to get your listeners to perform a specific action that is clear, direct, and observable. Here are some examples… The American Red Cross worker is addressing your commander’s call and telling you about the blood shortage and asking you to donate. Actor and gubernatorial candidate and Arnold Schwarzenegger campaigning for votes

7. Building the Briefing Selecting a Topic Choose a topic with two sides or multiple solutions Key to Success Degree of commitment to issue Ability to select appropriate supporting material Ability to organize and construct the briefing If you have the chance to choose your own topic, make sure you choose a topic that you feel strongly about. However, more often than not, your supervisor or commander will assign you the topic they want you to brief. Make sure you clearly understand your bosses position/intent. Ultimately, the key to your success is… 1. Your commitment to the issue 2. Your ability to select appropriate support material 3. Your ability to effectively organize and deliver your briefingIf you have the chance to choose your own topic, make sure you choose a topic that you feel strongly about. However, more often than not, your supervisor or commander will assign you the topic they want you to brief. Make sure you clearly understand your bosses position/intent. Ultimately, the key to your success is… 1. Your commitment to the issue 2. Your ability to select appropriate support material 3. Your ability to effectively organize and deliver your briefing

8. Building the Briefing Analyze and Examine Audience Conduct research Library sources, internet Testimonies, statistics and examples If evidence does not support your position or viewpoint, be willing to modify the topic

9. Building the Briefing Position Statement Write a sentence (position) you can provide a solution for with your support material Acts as focal point for arguments and supporting materials Reveals a clear point of view on a controversial topic

10. Building the Briefing Phrase clearly so you can advocate something and articulate your position

11. Building the Briefing Construct a compelling argument Develop logical arguments using correct facts, complete evidence and accurate reasoning Design the briefing so people understand and believe it Goal: to influence your audience to consider and ultimately accept your point of view

12. Organization Patterns Most Common Patterns to Advocate Problem-Solution Pro-Con or Con-Pro Pro-Con Plus 1

13. Problem-Solution Pattern

14. Problem-Solution Pattern, cont.

15.  Pro-Con Pattern

16.  Pro-Con Pattern, cont.

17.  Pro-Con Plus 1 Pattern

18.  Pro-Con Plus 1 Pattern, cont.

19. Delivery Tips Avoid “I think” or “I believe”; only use “ in my opinion” if you are an expert and set yourself up accordingly Stress research sources to build credibility Use eye contact and gestures to emphasize arguments Use facial expressions and voice to express emotions Stay behind the podium, except to emphasize a point Show passion and energy & Practice, Practice, Practice!

20. Video

21.  Grade Sheet

22.  Position Paper

23. Summary Nature of Persuasion Building the Advocacy Brief Organization Patterns Delivery Tips Evaluation Procedures REMOTIVATION: (Suggested: Advocacy is something you’re going to always do throughout your career. Whether it’s for people, money, time, or more equipment, you’ll be advocating in one form or another. You may not be at a lectern, but you may be behind a desk or in a conference room. You’re going to be advocating.)   CLOSURE: (Suggested: So, this is a skill you must acquire as an officer if you are going to succeed in the AF. So, with that class leader, go ahead and prepare the class for dismissal.) REMOTIVATION: (Suggested: Advocacy is something you’re going to always do throughout your career. Whether it’s for people, money, time, or more equipment, you’ll be advocating in one form or another. You may not be at a lectern, but you may be behind a desk or in a conference room. You’re going to be advocating.)   CLOSURE: (Suggested: So, this is a skill you must acquire as an officer if you are going to succeed in the AF. So, with that class leader, go ahead and prepare the class for dismissal.)

24. Tim Russert, moderator of “Meet the Press” said referring to Arnold Schwarzenegger on the “Today Show,” 24 Sep 03: “You have to be able to articulate your position.”